Cole video causes outrage

Singer Cheryl Cole has offended Hindus after she portrayed...

20:07 12 February 2010

Cheryl Cole has reportedly angered Hindu scholars with the video for her new single 'Parachute'.

The singer allegedly resembles that of the Hindu goddess Kali, in the scenes.

The religious figure, which is associated with divine eternal energy, is worshipped by Hindus.

Religious scholar Rajan Zed has reportedly called for "clarification" from Cole over the imagery used in the music video.

"The goddess Kali is highly revered in Hinduism and she's meant to be worshipped in temples, and not to be duplicated in music videos for publicity stunts or thrown around loosely for dramatic effects," said Zed, president of the Universal Society of Hinduism.

He added: "This should not be taken lightly. No faith, larger or smaller, should be ridiculed. The inappropriate use of Hinduism concepts and symbols is not OK.

"We welcome entertainers who immerse themselves in Hinduism, but they should take it seriously and respectfully and not just for indecorous showing of Hindu symbols and concepts to advance their selfish agenda. Casual flirting sometimes results in pillaging serious spiritual doctrines and revered symbols and hurting the devotees."

It isn't the first time a star has upset the Hindu faith. Supermodel Heidi Klum previously offended the faith when she dressed up as the deity for a Halloween party in 2008.

Actress Natalie Portman upset religious leaders when she portrayed another Indian religious figure, Princess Carmensita, in then-boyfriend Devendra Banhart's 'Carmensita' video.

'Parachute' is the third to be taken from her double platinum selling debut album '3 words'.